Five Top Tips for Reading for Pleasure

Top tips from Bookmark Reading Charity on how to inspire the joy of reading in children

Tip 1: Offer a variety of books

“Offering children a large variety of books to choose from, and encouraging them to choose books that interest them, is key to furthering enjoyment of reading.” (Ofsted, 2004)

Think about the genres, themes and diversity of the books you’re offering as a selection.

Reluctant readers could be more engaged with non-fiction or graphic novels, for example. Once a child develops an enjoyment of reading, whatever the text is, they will be more likely to want to continue reading.

It’s important to remember that reading isn’t just about books. Simply reading the menu at a restaurant, a road sign while in the car or an instant message will play a key part in making reading a regular part of a child’s life.

Tip 2: Create a reading area

Creating a reading area in your home or school is a great way to encourage reading for pleasure. This area will help children develop an excitement for reading as they associate this special time with the activity.

Consider how you arrange the books in this area, whether it’s a corner in your home or classroom, or your school library. Make sure to choose certain books to be front-facing, with lots of choice of genres and topics to pick from.

You could also create labels to highlight which books are recommended by other teachers or your school librarian.

Tip 3: Encourage ‘book chat’

Encouraging book chat can be challenging in a class of pupils with different interests. We recommend relating the conversation to a child’s individual experience or other books they have been reading.

The Open University have fantastic resources available, including a book chat guide and poster.

Tip 4: Schedule time for independent reading

Independent reading time can help a child develop their own sense of reading for pleasure. In a busy school day, this time can allow them to have autonomy over their book choice and will give them a feeling of independence.

For children with low confidence in their reading, independent reading could be less intimidating by not having to read out loud.

Tip 5: Encourage reading at home Reading is everywhere, it doesn’t have to be a regimented activity of sitting down with a physical book.

Graphic novels and picture books are an accessible way for parents to engage with their children at home, as the child can take ownership of the story time. This might be especially helpful for children who speak English as an additional language or who read reluctantly.

About Bookmark Reading Charity

Each year, one in four children leave primary school unable to read well, and disadvantaged children are disproportionately affected. Struggling to read can contribute to poor educational attainment, lower literacy in adulthood and has even been linked to a lower life expectancy.

Bookmark Reading Charity exists to change children’s life stories through the joy of reading.